11/27/2025
🚀 A Record-Breaking Year for Chinese LNG Shipbuilding Excellence
China is rapidly solidifying its position as a global maritime powerhouse, particularly in the strategically vital Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) transport sector. The shipbuilding giant Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding has achieved an unprecedented national milestone, successfully completing and delivering an astonishing nine large LNG carriers within a single calendar year.
This historic performance underscores not only China’s escalating production capacity but also its deep commitment to technological innovation and achieving greater self-sufficiency in the critical global LNG market. It marks a significant shift in the balance of power within the highly specialized LNG shipbuilding industry, traditionally dominated by South Korean yards.
The Vessel That Clinched the Record: The Qing Cheng LNG Carrier
The vessel that cemented this remarkable achievement is the LNG Qing Cheng. Delivered ahead of schedule, this state-of-the-art carrier, boasting a capacity of 174,000 cubic meters ($m^3$), is the latest addition—and the seventh large carrier—to join the crucial third-phase LNG transportation project championed by Cosco Shipping Energy Transportation and PetroChina International.
Technical Specifications and Sustainable Innovation
At 295 meters in length and 45 meters in width, the Qing Cheng is a marvel of maritime engineering, focused on both size and green technology. Developed entirely in-house by Hudong-Zhonghua, the vessel has been classified by both LR (Lloyd’s Register) and CCS (China Classification Society). Its advanced design incorporates several features aimed at efficiency and environmental compliance:
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Low Boil-Off Rate (BOR) Technology: Minimizing the natural evaporation of the cryogenic cargo, ensuring maximum efficiency and cargo integrity.
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Reduced Fuel Consumption Systems: Enhancing operational economy and lowering costs over the vessel’s lifespan.
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Advanced Environmental Performance: Meeting the most stringent global emissions standards, reflecting a commitment to sustainable global shipping.
 Full Autonomy: The Chinese-Led LNG Project
The program featuring the Qing Cheng represents a crucial leap forward: it is the first fully autonomous Chinese initiative in the complex LNG carrier segment. This project is a powerful demonstration of the nation’s efforts to ensure energy security through indigenous technological development.
This strategic endeavor is a successful collaboration between four key domestic stakeholders:
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Cosco Shipping Energy Transportation: A leading force in global energy logistics.
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PetroChina International: Securing the nation’s energy supply.
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Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding: The industry’s manufacturing backbone.
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Kunlun Financial Leasing: Providing comprehensive financial backing entirely in RMB (Chinese Yuan), showcasing financial independence.
This successful synergy reduces reliance on foreign intellectual property and yard capacity, positioning Beijing as a central player across the entire LNG value chain, from liquefaction and supply to global marine transportation.
Hudong-Zhonghua: Solidifying Its Leadership Position
With a history of having constructed 43 LNG carriers for Cosco Shipping Energy and a robust order book of 21 additional units currently under construction, Hudong-Zhonghua has firmly cemented its status as the national benchmark for highly complex and specialized naval construction.
The nine-delivery record in one year is more than just a win for the shipyard; it sends a clear and strong signal about the maturity, competence, and ambition of the Chinese naval industry, which is now ready to challenge and compete with the world’s best for the lucrative global LNG transport market.